Chapter 41: Annihilation is the Best Protection
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The snow and wind swirled, the night deep and heavy, almost suffocating.
The alley was even darker.
An old man led a boy with a large head and a Nezha braid, standing quietly in the snow, gazing at the brightly lit Xu's Wood Carving Shop.
"Master, the Spirit Child Sect seems to have their eyes on the Spirit Child you value..."
"Should we take action? The Spirit Child Sect has colluded with the officials of Feilei City. The experts in this shop have been dispatched, leaving it vulnerable. The Spirit Child Sect will likely make their move tonight."
Lv Chi frowned, though young, he was remarkably mature.
The old man shook his head: "Let's wait and see. I will only act if absolutely necessary. I want to find out who in Feilei City is preparing the sacrificial temple, and who has become the temple god's lackey..."
"But what if something happens to the Spirit Child? Master... Didn't you say the Spirit Child is a rare and exceptional one?"
Lv Chi tilted his head, puzzled.
The old man smiled and glanced at the big-headed Lv Chi: "If it comes to it, you can take action. How about giving you a chance to be a hero and save the beauty?"
Lv Chi rolled his eyes: "A two-year-old girl is called a beauty? At two years old, you can't even tell!"
The old man stroked his beard and laughed, his eyes deep: "I didn't expect that the Spirit Child's father, who is in his twenties, would be an exceptional Spirit Child himself. Such pure and flawless divine nature naturally gave birth to an exceptional Spirit Child."
"Someone is coming."
The old man's smile faded, and he pulled Lv Chi into the darkness, blending in seamlessly.
...
...
A sudden gust of wind tore through the cold air, the snow and wind swirling before being shredded.
Several ghostly figures stood on the rooftops, braving the cold wind, their eerie laughter almost like the cries of ghosts.
These figures wore black robes and various children's masks—crying, smiling, ugly, angry, and more...
There were five figures in total, some wielding large swords, some gripping long spears, and others carrying iron hammers.
Their aura was so intense that it seemed to melt the snow falling from the sky.
"Xu You has been recalled to the inner city, and the only Blood Replacing Warrior, Chen Dabao, is imprisoned. Only tonight is the opportunity. Tomorrow, Xu You will return, and Chen Dabao will be released..."
"We must succeed in taking the Spirit Child tonight."
"Also, if I'm used as bait, you must act quickly to save me!"
With that, the figures, accompanied by eerie cries, laughter, and shouts, leaped over the high walls of the Xu residence.
...
...
The courtyard was eerily quiet.
A lamp burned inside the house, the flickering flame casting two shadows on the paper window.
Inside the house.
Zhang Ya's face was pale, holding the sleeping Xixi. Her woman's intuition, combined with her husband Li Che's unusual behavior, told her that tonight might be dangerous.
She looked into the distance, where a lifelike wooden statue sat on a chair, resembling Li Che, though it was unpolished and rough.
But through the lamplight, the shadow on the paper window looked almost identical to Li Che.
It created a warm and cozy illusion that the couple was both inside the house.
At first, Zhang Ya didn't understand why Li Che did this. Why not just stay inside and protect them?
But when Li Che took out a thin wooden board, sat on the chair, and slowly carved a cute ox mask, covering his face with it...
Zhang Ya was utterly stunned.
She covered her mouth, looking at her husband, who seemed so unfamiliar, her eyes wide with shock.
"Ox... Bull Demon?"
Zhang Ya asked softly.
Now, who in Feilei City didn't know the Bull Demon? The hunter of the Spirit Child Sect, who preyed on children, though his wanted poster hung in the public notice board year-round...
He had become a hero in the hearts of the people of Feilei City!
And now, this hero... was her husband, Zhang Ya?
"No... No, my husband, the Bull Demon's physique is very different from yours."
Zhang Ya shook her head, speaking softly.
This was the first time Li Che revealed his identity, showing his true self to his wife. And his wife... would be the first to know about his identity as the Bull Demon.
Without a word, Li Che silently activated the [Dragon-Elephant Vajra] Dao Fruit.
Instantly, countless muscles bulged and intertwined, growing rapidly, transforming him into a towering, mountain-like figure, exuding a fierce and overwhelming aura within the house.
In Zhang Ya's stunned gaze, Li Che immediately returned to his normal size.
"Wife, I will not let anyone harm you or our daughter. So... you must trust me."
Li Che gently stroked Zhang Ya's face, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, speaking softly.
Zhang Ya snapped out of her stupor, her heart racing, her mind buzzing. Her husband... could transform into such a massive figure!
Was this what a Bone Tempering Warrior could do?
But she had never heard that Bone Tempering Warriors could change size like this.
The obedient Zhang Ya didn't ask more, knowing this was her husband's secret. She didn't need to know everything, just to trust and believe.
Between a husband and wife, there should be some small secrets.
As for Li Che's identity as the Bull Demon, and those who had died at the Bull Demon's hands...
Zhang Ya didn't care. She only cared about her husband.
However, Zhang Ya felt a bit troubled. It seemed she had no secrets left from her husband.
"Remember the way to activate the [Wooden Crow]..."
Li Che rubbed Zhang Ya's head, kissed her forehead, and instructed her.
Zhang Ya nodded earnestly.
Li Che glanced at the sleeping Xixi.
A loving husband and father, he just wanted to live a peaceful life with his family...
Whoever dared to touch his daughter, he would...
Kill them!
...
...
Li Che activated the [Dragon-Elephant Dao Fruit]'s "Sleeping Dragon Elephant" ability, completely concealing his aura and energy, as if he had vanished from the world.
The concealment was excellent.
He blended into the dark alleys around the Xu residence, wearing a hood and the ox mask, transforming into the Bull Demon on this snowy night.
"Zhao Chuanxiong, boldly executing his scheme in broad daylight, acting arrogantly... This doesn't seem to fit his style of hiding for a year."
Li Che pondered, a realization dawning on him.
Zhao Chuanxiong knew the Bull Demon was looking for him, yet he still acted so openly, as if... he was setting a trap.
"Is Zhao Chuanxiong the bait, to lure me?"
"The work of the Spirit Child Sect?"
"Tonight's scheme is a two-pronged attack... to capture Xixi and eliminate the Bull Demon..."
The alley was silent.
After a while, a faint, chilling breath rose, filled with murderous intent.
"Huh."
"So greedy."
Li Che looked up at the dark sky, his eyes sharp.
"No matter what schemes they have..."
"I want to protect my wife and child..."
"Killing you all is the best protection."
...
...
The night was dark, and the cold made the geese cry in the frost. The temperature rose slightly, and the snow turned to rain, drizzling down in the darkness.
Each raindrop was icy and bone-chilling.
Zhao Chuanxiong, with a long sword at his waist, his black hair flowing freely, wore a smiling child's mask.
His feet touched the thick snow on the ground, shattering the rain and snow falling from the sky, moving like a ghost.
He landed outside the courtyard of Fang Che's house.
Since he had visited Li Che before, he knew exactly where to find this courtyard.
Under the child's mask, Zhao Chuanxiong's eyes were emotionless, looking at the brightly lit house and the two shadows on the paper window.
"What a warm and cozy family..."
"Unfortunately, they have a Spirit Child."
"Talent is a blessing, but also... a curse."
Zhao Chuanxiong drew his bright, gleaming sword, the blade trembling and emitting a long, resonant hum.
The world was silent.
Inside Xu's Wood Carving Shop... there was no movement.
The old masters, though Xu You had warned and begged them, ultimately chose to protect themselves and did not act.
Even though they knew someone would attack Li Che's courtyard to take Xixi tonight.
Zhao Chuanxiong, gripping his sword with one hand, scanned the surroundings. The snow and rain mixed, and no one appeared to stop him.
The face under the mask smiled coldly: "Human nature..."
"In this world, those who dare to be heroes... are few."
"Except for you!"
BOOM!!!
On Zhao Chuanxiong's sword, a fiery red aura burst forth, and he swung it fiercely backward.
The blood-red sword beam sliced through the wind and snow, the shockwave splitting the air!
"Bull Demon!!!!"
A terrified, yet explosive scream erupted from Zhao Chuanxiong's throat!
Behind him, a towering figure appeared like a ghost!
His black clothes flapped, the ox mask under the hood looked like a messenger of death, his eyes cold and filled with murderous intent.
Without a word.
The Bull Demon raised his massive, fan-like hand, fingers curved, and clenched it.
Under the skin, every pore burst with boiling blood qi, like intertwined blood pythons, wrapping around his thick arm!
White Tiger Chaotic Wind!
One punch!
From top to bottom!
Overwhelming!
BOOM!
The sword beam Zhao Chuanxiong swung was shattered by the brutal and domineering force!
The punch's power was not exhausted, continuing to unleash!
Zhao Chuanxiong defended with his long sword, but the steel blade was instantly bent!
The unfamiliar punch force, accompanied by a tiger's roar, penetrated the blade, ruthlessly crashing into his chest.
Shattering his chest...
Zhao Chuanxiong's child mask exploded, revealing a terrified face, his eyes almost popping out!
His knees hit the ground hard, the tiles cracking, and the snow around him exploded into a high curtain.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The sound of bones breaking or snow falling echoed continuously.
"Blood... Blood Exchange?!"
"Indeed..."
"Being used as bait... means being eaten..."
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(End of Chapter)